The Windy City is buzzing with a mix of relief and raw desperation. After snapping an agonizing 11-game losing streak with a stunning comeback win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, the Chicago Bulls are finally breathing easier. But don’t pop the champagne just yet—Tuesday night’s showdown at the United Center against the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder feels less like a winnable matchup and more like a quest for the impossible. A home victory over OKC? That’s a unicorn in these parts, folks. The Bulls haven’t pulled it off since the 2021-22 season, and they’ve dropped their last six straight to the Thunder overall. Talk about needing a miracle!
Let’s rewind to Sunday, where the Bulls finally put that brutal skid to bed in emphatic fashion. Trailing by 16 points in the third quarter against a formidable Bucks squad, Chicago unleashed a franchise-record 27-0 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters, turning the game on its head and cruising to a 120-97 victory. It was their first win since January 31, and boy, did it feel like lifting a thousand-pound weight off their shoulders.
“Any time you go on a losing streak like that, every game becomes more and more desperate,” said Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who orchestrated the comeback with a masterful 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists—his eighth triple-double of the season. “But I thought during the losing streak—obviously wins are what you want, but there were steps in the right direction. I thought we did a lot of good things and (Sunday) that all came together for the first time.”
Giddey wasn’t alone in the heroics. Newcomer Collin Sexton, one of several fresh faces acquired at the trade deadline, lit up the scoreboard with a game-high 22 points, injecting some much-needed energy into a revamped roster. And let’s not forget Matas Buzelis, the ironman who’s started all 61 games this season. He chipped in 20 points and echoed the sentiment of progress amid the chaos: “It’s different for everybody. We have basically a new team.” Buzelis is right—the Bulls are still gelling, but Sunday’s rally showed glimpses of what this group could become if they can string together consistent performances.
Now, flip the script to the visitors: the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, who roll into town fresh off a gritty 100-87 road win over the Dallas Mavericks. Leading the charge, as always, is superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s on the cusp of NBA history. With 30 points against Dallas, SGA extended his league-record streak to 59 straight road games with at least 20 points. That’s not just impressive—it’s downright legendary. And guess what? His next chance to make it 60 comes right here in Chicago.
“He’s a great road player, obviously; there’s really no difference in his game, home or road,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of his All-Star guard. “I think that’s a certain level that some guys get to, is just their ability to consistently perform in all the environments. We have a lot of guys like that within their role, but he’s certainly one of them.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has already tasted success in the United Center this season. Back on October 26, 2024, he dropped 23 points in a dominant 114-95 Thunder victory over the Bulls. That game was a microcosm of Chicago’s struggles against OKC: outmatched, outhustled, and left searching for answers. The Bulls’ home drought against the Thunder stretches back years, making Tuesday’s tilt feel like a David vs. Goliath battle—except Goliath has Chet Holmgren patrolling the paint.
Speaking of Holmgren, the Thunder’s rising big man continues to elevate his game, posting 19 points and nine rebounds against Dallas while averaging a career-best 17.2 points on an efficient 55.3% shooting this season. He’s the perfect complement to SGA’s scoring prowess, anchoring a defense that leads the NBA in points off turnovers at 22.5 per game. That’s a scary stat for the Bulls, who coughed up 18 giveaways in their win over Milwaukee and average 15.1 on the year. One sloppy pass, and OKC could turn the game into a track meet.
The Thunder’s depth shines through their bench, too. Isaiah Joe drained three of OKC’s eight 3-pointers in Dallas, finishing with 14 points. After a cold January where he shot just 34.2% from deep, Joe’s been scorching hot lately—49.5% over his last 13 games. “The guy can flat-out shoot it with the best of them,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m not surprised by any of it. He didn’t start the year as hot as he is now, so I knew it’d be evened out.” Rookie Jared McCain added 11 points off the bench, rounding out a balanced attack that’s propelled OKC to the top of the West.
For the Bulls, this game is about more than just extending their newfound momentum—it’s about proving they can hang with the elite. With a “new team” vibe and players like Giddey, Sexton, and Buzelis stepping up, Chicago has the pieces to make it competitive. But pulling off a win against this Thunder juggernaut at home? That would be the stuff of legends, a miracle in the making. The United Center faithful will be roaring, hoping their Bulls can channel that 27-0 run magic one more time.
Tip-off is set for Tuesday night. Will the Bulls hunt down that elusive victory, or will SGA and company extend their dominance? One thing’s for sure: in a season full of twists, this one’s got all the makings of a thriller. Stay tuned, Chicago—your miracle might just be waiting.